Greatest Super Bowl players in NFL history: From Terry Bradshaw to Tom Brady – the legends who loved the biggest game of all
Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady have all dominated the Super Bowl down the years. But picking the greatest players in Super Bowl history isn’t easy — especially when a kicker deserves to make the Top 10 list. GettyTom Brady spent two decades dominating the biggest sporting event in the United States[/caption] Since the first Super Bowl in 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, the big game has often been decided by the best player on the field in the final contest of the season. With Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans fast approaching, talkSPORT.com looks at the greatest players the sport’s biggest game has ever seen. 10. Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots Four Super Bowl championships. Three All Pro selections and the All-2000s team. The Patriots’ dynasty didn’t start with Tom Brady. It began with Vinatieri, a can’t-miss kicker who forever changed New England’s story when he drilled a 48-yard field goal with seven seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVI, giving Bill Belichick‘s team a gritty 20-17 victory. It’s hard to believe two decades later, but New England was an underdog with a ton to prove when it upset the high-scoring St. Louis Rams. Vinatieri played a huge part in the Pats’ dynasty and got it all started with a franchise-changing field goal. AFPAdam Vinatieri became an integral part of Super Bowl history and elevated his position[/caption] 9. Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers The first dynasty of the Super Bowl era belonged to the super-tough Pittsburgh Steelers. Harris helped blue-collar Pittsburgh win four world championships in a six-year period and lifted the NFL higher. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl IX, rushing 34 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. A single back receiving 34 carries is unheard of in 2024. But it was just another big game for Harris, who totaled 101 rushes for 354 yards and four TDs during his four Super Bowls, while adding five catches for 66 yards. Harris is one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history and was at his best in the biggest games. Getty Images - GettyFranco Harris set the tone during an era dominated by running backs and aggressive defenses[/caption] 8. Von Miller, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams There have been better defenders to play in the Super Bowl but few have done as much big-game damage as Miller. He was the primary reason that Denver finally won a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning, leading a Broncos defense that kept attacking Carolina QB Cam Newton. Miller finished with 2.5 sacks, six combined tackles, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles as Denver outfought the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Six years later, Miller was a Ram, recording two more sacks in Los Angeles’ 23-20 victory over Cincinnati in Super Bowl LVI. Defense can win championships and Miller proved that twice in a contemporary era defined by high-powered offenses and franchise QBs. Von Miller exceled on the biggest stage and helped two teams win the big gameGetty Images - Getty 7. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gronk. One word says it all for the best tight end to ever appear in the NFL’s biggest game. Gronkowski won four Super Bowls, catching 29 passes for 364 yards and five TDs. His consistency was stunning, with at least six receptions in four of his five Super Bowl appearances. While some stars shrink in the spotlight, Gronk expanded. He was the perfect answer for Brady and so good that he won another world championship after joining Brady in Florida. GettyRob Gronkowski redefined the tight end position and formed a perfect pair with Tom Brady[/caption] 6. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens The greatest modern defender went a perfect 2-for-2 on football’s grandest stage. Lewis is one of the rare defenders this millennium to win Super Bowl MVP, and he was the core of a Baltimore crew that brought old-school hitting back to the NFL. The 12-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer was aggressive, intense and the perfect leader for the Ravens. Baltimore’s defense held the New York Giants to seven points in Lewis’ first Super Bowl, then prevented San Francisco and Jim Harbaugh from winning it all 12 years later. GettyRay Lewis brought constant defensive intensity to the Ravens’ two Super Bowl wins[/caption] 5. Eli Manning, New York Giants The other professional Manning QB might never make the Hall of Fame but Canton can’t compare to two shining Super Bowl rings. Manning was the only QB who had the answer for Brady, twice leading the Giants to trophies when New England was expected to win again. Manning’s Super Bowl numbers are impressive – 49-of-74 passing for 551 yards, three TDs and a 96.2 rating. But the simple fact that he went 2-0 against Bill Belichick and Brady says it all. Eli Manning was a Patriots stopper and so su
Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady have all dominated the Super Bowl down the years.
But picking the greatest players in Super Bowl history isn’t easy — especially when a kicker deserves to make the Top 10 list.
Since the first Super Bowl in 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, the big game has often been decided by the best player on the field in the final contest of the season.
With Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans fast approaching, talkSPORT.com looks at the greatest players the sport’s biggest game has ever seen.
10. Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots
Four Super Bowl championships.
Three All Pro selections and the All-2000s team.
The Patriots’ dynasty didn’t start with Tom Brady.
It began with Vinatieri, a can’t-miss kicker who forever changed New England’s story when he drilled a 48-yard field goal with seven seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVI, giving Bill Belichick‘s team a gritty 20-17 victory.
It’s hard to believe two decades later, but New England was an underdog with a ton to prove when it upset the high-scoring St. Louis Rams.
Vinatieri played a huge part in the Pats’ dynasty and got it all started with a franchise-changing field goal.
9. Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
The first dynasty of the Super Bowl era belonged to the super-tough Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harris helped blue-collar Pittsburgh win four world championships in a six-year period and lifted the NFL higher.
He was named the MVP of Super Bowl IX, rushing 34 times for 158 yards and a touchdown.
A single back receiving 34 carries is unheard of in 2024.
But it was just another big game for Harris, who totaled 101 rushes for 354 yards and four TDs during his four Super Bowls, while adding five catches for 66 yards.
Harris is one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history and was at his best in the biggest games.
8. Von Miller, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams
There have been better defenders to play in the Super Bowl but few have done as much big-game damage as Miller.
He was the primary reason that Denver finally won a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning, leading a Broncos defense that kept attacking Carolina QB Cam Newton.
Miller finished with 2.5 sacks, six combined tackles, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles as Denver outfought the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
Six years later, Miller was a Ram, recording two more sacks in Los Angeles’ 23-20 victory over Cincinnati in Super Bowl LVI.
Defense can win championships and Miller proved that twice in a contemporary era defined by high-powered offenses and franchise QBs.
7. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gronk.
One word says it all for the best tight end to ever appear in the NFL’s biggest game.
Gronkowski won four Super Bowls, catching 29 passes for 364 yards and five TDs.
His consistency was stunning, with at least six receptions in four of his five Super Bowl appearances.
While some stars shrink in the spotlight, Gronk expanded.
He was the perfect answer for Brady and so good that he won another world championship after joining Brady in Florida.
6. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
The greatest modern defender went a perfect 2-for-2 on football’s grandest stage.
Lewis is one of the rare defenders this millennium to win Super Bowl MVP, and he was the core of a Baltimore crew that brought old-school hitting back to the NFL.
The 12-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer was aggressive, intense and the perfect leader for the Ravens.
Baltimore’s defense held the New York Giants to seven points in Lewis’ first Super Bowl, then prevented San Francisco and Jim Harbaugh from winning it all 12 years later.
5. Eli Manning, New York Giants
The other professional Manning QB might never make the Hall of Fame but Canton can’t compare to two shining Super Bowl rings.
Manning was the only QB who had the answer for Brady, twice leading the Giants to trophies when New England was expected to win again.
Manning’s Super Bowl numbers are impressive – 49-of-74 passing for 551 yards, three TDs and a 96.2 rating.
But the simple fact that he went 2-0 against Bill Belichick and Brady says it all.
4. Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bradshaw captures the way the Super Bowl used to be.
Tough, challenging and unpredictable.
Joined by a great coach, a multitude of offensive weapons and a hard-hitting defense, the four-time world champion won every Super Bowl that he played in.
It’s easy to draw a line that connects Bradshaw with Montana and Brady.
The legendary Steelers QB completed 49-of-84 passes for 932 yards, nine TDs and a 112.8 rating.
But for all his greatness, Bradshaw also threw four interceptions, including three in his final big game — a 31-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams in 1979.
3. Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders
Rice was the Tom Brady of wide receivers and saved his best for the NFL’s biggest game.
While teammate Joe Montana received the biggest spotlight, Rice was the 49ers’ most dangerous weapon and gave opposing defenses nightmares for two decades.
Rice went 3-1 in the big game, catching 33 balls for 589 yards and a whopping eight TDs.
The only downside to Rice’s Super Bowl runs was a 48-21 defeat to Tampa Bay when he was a Raider.
But he also caught five balls for 77 yards and a TD in a Super Bowl when he was 40, which is the clearest proof of Rice’s greatness.
2. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
Before Tom Brady, there was Joe Montana.
Joe Cool was the ultimate big game quarterback, shredding defenses while running Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense with premium precision.
Montana had a ton of weapons – Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, John Taylor, Tom Rathman – but he also won four Super Bowls and was so good that Steve Young was forced to stay on the bench.
From 1982-90, San Francisco owned the NFL.
Montana was the best of the best during his era and set the template that Brady followed.
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady won seven Super Bowls with two teams and helped build a modern dynasty with the Patriots.
The greatest quarterback of all time is also the greatest Super Bowl player of all time.
He won five Super Bowl MVPs and only Eli Manning got in the way of two more rings.
Brady excelled in the brightest spotlight, evolving from a system QB into a true field general who brought the best out of the Patriots and Buccaneers in different eras.
For two decades, Brady was synonymous with the Super Bowl.
His accomplishments stand alone in NFL history.
Read More on Super Bowl LIX
All you need to know about Super Bowl LIX as Kansas City Chiefs battle Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
‘Bigger than Taylor Swift’ – Illegal rentals, 26,000 hotel rooms and the $500m refit behind Super Bowl of Super Bowls
Emotional Travis Kelce and brother Jason broke down in tears remembering mom Donna’s powerful Super Bowl cameo
Secret meaning to ‘eight stars’ in NFL logo revealed as fans stunned before Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl
Patrick Mahomes vs Tom Brady after first seven years as a starter reveals there’s only one winner in quarterback debate
Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem?
FOLLOW – talkSPORT End Zone YouTube Channel brings you all the latest news, views and analysis
OFFER – See all Super Bowl odds and bet boosts over at talkSPORT BET
BUY HERE – Brewdog launches new beer to celebrate Super Bowl 2025
